Smokers urged to take advantage of support to quit schemes following reintroduction of Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Bill will ensure that anyone born after 1st January 2009 can never be legally sold lethal tobacco products. In the Humber and North Yorkshire area, 68% of people support raising the age of sale of tobacco, and 75% support a smokefree generation.

Tobacco is the single most important entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability, and death in the country. In the Humber and North Yorkshire, smoking is responsible for 18,494 hospital admissions to treat smoking related illnesses and 2,541 premature deaths.

It is estimated to cost North East Lincolnshire £198-million a year in medical care, health and social care, lost earnings, and smoking-related unemployment. No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its long-term users, most of whom start as teenagers.

Diane Lee, Northern Lincolnshire’s Director of Public Health, said: “Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in England, killing two out of three smokers. We know that most people who smoke start young, regret ever starting and then struggle to quit. This is why it is vital to prevent our children and young people becoming addicted to this lethal product.  

“Too many communities are suffering because of smoking, and we don’t want to lose any more loved ones to tobacco or watch them suffer. We need to take action to reduce preventable illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, COPD and cardiovascular disease to help everyone live longer, healthier lives, and tackling tobacco is the single most important action we can take.”

Local figures show that a number of successful support schemes to help people to stop smoking are having an impact in North East Lincolnshire

The Wellbeing service offers different approaches for those who find the thought of stopping smoking overwhelming. Initiatives such as the Swap 2 Stop scheme - to give up cigarettes for a free vape starter kit as part of a 12-week programme of support -   are available.

Evidence is clear that smokers who receive a combination of pharmacotherapy and skilled behavioural support are up to four times as likely to quit successfully.  Swapping to an effective replacement means that the harmful tobacco is removed, without the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal.

Free help is available for everyone to stop smoking in North East Lincolnshire, just visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/smoking/  or contact the Wellbeing Service, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU. Alternatively telephone: 01472 325500 or email: wellbeingservice@nelincs.gov.uk

Cllr Stan Shreeve, North East Lincolnshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said: “Supporting people to give up smoking is a health priority in our region and I urge people to take advantage of the schemes we have available to help them.

“In North East Lincolnshire we are committed to tackling tobacco harm and want to see a healthier, smokefree future for everyone.”